Combined bracket and lighting device



Jan. 7, 1941. .1. H. POLLARD COMBINED BRACKET AND LIGHTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 7, 1941. J. H. POLLARD COMBINED BRACKET AND LIGHTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J0/1A P01. 29/20 Jan. 7, 1941. J. H. POLLARD COMBINED BRACKET AND LIGHTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 :JvWQ/WBO O dolor: H. Pollard Patented Jan. 7, 1941 invention relates to new and useful improvementsin bracket'sfa One object or the invention is to provide an improved brack'et which is particularly adapted I ior use in supporting an elongate lamp, such as a m eq p objector the invention is to provide an improved' bracket including a single substantially rigid mem r arranged to be connect- 119 "edianlr support in ordinary electrical outconducting the electric current from the outlet receptacle lb he lamp to illuminate the latter, wherby said lamp' may be readily connected in any usual outlet receptacle and the necessity of rdviding a special for mounting said lamp is e ate

I he invention is to provide 2 anfimproved bracket for supporting an elongate damp-which, i'srconstructed of insulating material thal/ing' anhordinary: electrical connecting plug "mountedz-itherein whereby thebracket may be unconnected inz'the usuaikelectrical receptacle; the aconstructionliofzth bracket being very simple so as' to' minimize manufacturing costs and thereby .vprovide eln inexpensive? bracket for connecting &2-"1fll1 elongatealampiin thmusual receptacle.

.hifurther object ofathe invention is to progg videzr ian improved bracket of the character detscribed;iwhichlincludesa single supporting member havingcapsathereon; which caps are adapted "ftdl-ifeeeivei thel. elongate lamp therebetween to msupport ethe same,::said.::caps being arranged to 5 permit vinsertionzor.reinoval of the lamp without:disturbingsthet bracket; the single member or mingwa substantlallyerigid support extending throughoutithe length ofithe lamp. 1 A :furthermbjectacofrxthe invention is to provide-tan; improved upporting member of the echaracterzdescribed;uwherein a plurality of elongatelamps mayibezmounted therein, whereby an *"attractiv'eitdisplaysigni may be produced at an nexpensive'costuz is Still notheniobiect of the invention is to provide an i improvedqsupporting member 01' the character describedgswherein the member may *beeutilizedw:toiz'carmz ,advertising indicia which overliesithelampqrmounted within the member, wherebman'ailluminatcd; sign is produced; the onstmctionsuqmthat the indicia may be readilnchangedawhendesired. 1 Ajuconstruction designed to carry out the inr:ventionowillri belrheneinatter described, together 55 with other eatureaofitheinv n ion. 'he;:-,invention willabeqmore readily understood romiazreading for theifollowin pec ficat d a loy :ireferenceg: to the accompanying drawings, in th invention is shown, and

COMBINED BRACKET AND LIGHTING DEVICE John H; Pollard, Dallas, Tex.

Application August 21, 1937, Serial No. 160,247

9 Claims. (Cl. 240-1) Figure 1 is an isometric view of a bracket, constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing an ordinary Lumiline lamp mounted therein,

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and part- 5 ly in section of said bracket,

Figure 3 is an elevation of the bracket, showing a portion thereof broken away to illustrate the connection 01' the electrical connecting plug thereto, 10

Figure 4 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 and enlarged thereover, 1

Figure 6 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2,

Figure 7 is an isometric view of another form of the invention,

Figure 8 is an enlarged view, partly in eleva- 2 tion and partly in section, showing one end of the bracket shown in Figure '7,

Figure 9 is an elevation of another form of bracket,

Figure 10 is a view, partly in elevation and 25 partly in section of still another form of the in vention,

Figure 11 is a view of a modified form of the invention,

Figure 12 is a partial isometric view of one end of the bracket shown in Figure 11,

Figures 13 and 14 are transverse, sectional views taken on the lines indicated in Figure 11,

Figure 15 is a view, similar to Figure 11, showing another form of bracket, and

Figures 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views taken on the lines indicated in Figure 15.

In the drawings, the numeral ID designates an ordinary Lumiline lamp such as is manufactured and sold by the General Electric Company. This lamp is cylindrical, being tube-like, and is made in standard lengths of twelve and eighteen inches. Each end of the lamp has a metallic terminal H which is formed with a central recess I2.

An elongate bracket l3 which not only serves as a support for the lamp, but which also acts to connect the lamp with an ordinary electrical receptacle, as will be explained, is provided. This bracket is constructed of a pair of elongate memhers M which are made of any suitable material such as metal, wood or the like. It is preferable however, that the members be constructed of an electrical non-conducting material such as pressed fiber board or Bakelite, although this is not essential to the invention. Each member H has a length substantially equal to or slightly greater than the length of the tubular lamp l0 and said member takes the form of a flat bar or strip which has an enlarged portion 15 at its 50 center. The narrow portion of each member is preferably less than the transverse width or diameter of the tube ll, while the enlarged portion I is preferably slightly greater than said 5 diameter but the particular width of the member is subject to variation. The members ll engage each other and are secured together at their central portions by bolts I which extend through openings II in the enlarged portions I5 of said members and which receive nuts I! on their outer ends. The openings Il may be countersunk to accommodate the heads of the bolts and the nuts II. The outer ends of the members are held together by clamping rings or clips I3 which are slidable therealong.

An electrical connecting plug I! which is constructed in the usual manner and which includes spaced prongs 2| is mounted within a circular opening 2| which is formed in the enlarged portion l5 of the member II on the inner sides thereof. It is pointed out that the opening 2| is of such size that the body of the plug l8 has a. tight fit or frictional engagement therein and the opening is countersunk as shown at 2| in Figure 6, to receive the usual annular flange IQ of the plug. With the connecting plug l9 within the opening 2| of the members ll, it,

will be manifest that the prongs 23 extend outwadly from one side of the bracket, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The inner sides or engaging faces of the members II are formed with complementary grooves 22 extending from the countersunk portion 2| of the opening 2| to a point near the outer end of said members, and electrical connecting wires 23 which extend from the prongs 20 of the electrical connecting plug l9 are inserted within the grooves 22. Each wire has one end suitably fastened to one of the prongs, while its opposite end 22' is terminated short of the end of the groove 22, as is clearly shown in Figure 2.

With the above arrangement, it will be manifest that the plug I! may have its prongs 20 inserted in an ordinary electrical outlet receptacle, and the electrical current will flow through the wires 23 which are confined between the members ll of the bracket. Since the lug I9 is located centrally of the bracket. l3, said acket will be supported by the engagement of the prongs within the receptacle. If the members H of the bracket l3 are constructed of an electrical non-conducting material, the wires 23 may he uninsulated but in the event that said bracket is made of metal. or similar material,

he" the. wi es 23 will be covered with a suitable insul tion 23'.

For su orting the tubular lamp III on the bracket l3. said bracket is provided with a pair of ca s 25 which are located one at each end of t e. bra ket. These caps are adapted to receive the ends of the tubular lamp l0 and are constructed of an electrical non-conducting material. such as B kelite? Each can is formed with an inwardly directed flange 26 and an annular spring contact 21 is located within the cap axially thereof and is arranged to engage in the recess l2 provided in the end contact ll of the lamb III. A radially extending metallic bar 28, which is preferably made integral with the spring contact 21, extends through a slot 29 formed in the flange 26 of the cap 25. This arm passes through an opening 30 provided in the inner member I of the bracket l3 and the outer end of said arm is bent so as to engage in the end of one of the complementary grooves 22 provided at theinner engaging faces of the member M. This inwardly bent end forms a. lug 3| which is connected by soldering orotherwise, with the end of one of the wires 23 which lead from the connecting plug l9 located at the central por- 5 tion of the bracket l3. It is pointed out that the caps are similar to the usual end caps sold on the open'market for use with the elongate lumiline lamp It.

When the cap is engaging the end of the lamp 1 II, it will be manifest that the current flowing through one of the prongs 20 will pass through one of the wires 23 and will be conducted to the arm 28, which is an integral part of the contact spring 21. Since each cap is electrically con- 15 nected to one of the prongs, the current will be carried to the end contacts H of ti... tubular lamp II to illuminate the lamp. It is pointed out that the flange 26 ofeach cap is relatively narrow, so that disengagement of the lamp from between the caps may be accomplished by merely moving each cap outwardly and permitting said cap to swing on the metallic bar and lug. 3|. Swinging of this lug is permitted by moving the spring clips l3 toward the center of the bracket 25 I3 which will permit a separation of the outer ends of the members I 4. Of course, when the clips l3 are in the position shown in Figure 1, they serve to rigidly secure the members ll together. 30

From the foregoing, it will be manifest that a very inexpensive bracket for supporting a tubular lamp, is provided. The members ll which form the bracket may be stamped out and thereby easily shaped. The enlarged portion l5 at the central portion of each member ll need only be sufliciently large to accommodate the connecting plug I9, although it has been shown larger in the drawings. It would even be possible to make the bracket the same widththrough- 40 out its length and fasten the plug l9 thereto by auxiliary means such as a spider. Since the caps 25 are connected to the ends of the bracket l3. said bracket extends a slight distance beyond said caps in order to provide suflicient strength at 45 the ends of the bracket to support said caps. However, if the bracket I3 is constructed of metal, it would be possible to terminate the members ll in alinement with the ends of the caps 25. It has been found that the provision of the 60 clamping rings or clips l3 makes for a simple construction to hold the outer ends of the members ll together, but in some instances it might be desirable to provide bolts, such as l1 and nuts l8 to secure the outer ends of said members 5 to each other. In such instance, the metallic bar 28 which connects the caps 25 to the bracket could be made of a spring metal, whereby the cap 25 may undergo a limited outward movement to permit insertion or removal of the tubular lamp 0 from therebetween.

The bracket I3 is substantially rigid throughout its length and the prongs 20 of the plug l9 mounted in said bracket may be readily inserted in, or removed from the ordinary outlet attach- 65 ment plug (not shown). The insertion of the prongs into said outlet or receptacle will not only make an electrical connection to the contacts 21 of the caps 25, but will also act to support the bracket in position. The lamp l0 may 70 be inserted within the caps 25 either before the bracket is connected to the outlet receptacle or after it is in position therein. Therefore, if the lamp Ill should burn out or if for any reason replacement is necessary, the bracket need not" be removed from the receptacle. The connecting plug I9 is securely held within the bracket by a frictional engagement within the opening 2| and also by the wires 23 which are connected to the prongs 20 of said plug and which are confined between the members I of the bracket i3. When the bracket and lamp are in position, being supported in, and electrically connected to an ordinary receptacle, the lamp Ill covers substantially the entire bracket, the only portion which is visible being the enlarged central portion l5 of the bracket members. Insertion of the prongs 20 in the receptacle establishes an electrical connection with the ends of the tubular lamp l0 and therefore, it will be seen that the lamp may be illuminated by insertion into any receptacle and a special type of base for said lamp is not necessary. It is particularly noted that ,flat wires or conductors could be substituted for the round wires 23,-in which case the grooves 22 for accommodating the wires 23 would be eliminated.

In Figures 7 and 8, a modified form of the invention is shown. In this form a bracket 35 which is similar to the bracket l3 in construction, is provided with arms 36 at each end thereof. The arms are disposed at substantially a right angle to the bars 35' of the bracket and are formed by bending said arms. The electrical plug I9 is supported at the central portion of the bars and the wires or conductors 23 are clamped therebetween exactly as in the first form. The outer ends of the wires 23 are secured by soldering or otherwise, to angular contacts 31 which are mounted between the bars of the brackets (Figure 8).

Each arm 36 of the bracket 35 is formed with a recess 38 which is adapted to receive the end cap 25' of the lamp. This cap instead of having the angular contact bar 3! of the form shown in Figures 1 to 6, is provided with a straight contact bar 39 insertable in the complementary grooves in the bars 35' of the bracket. When the caps 25 are frictionally held within the recesses 38 in the arms 36, the contact bars 39 thereof are engaged with the contacts 31, whereby electrical connection between the prongs of the plug i9 and the caps is made. The lamp I6 is, of course, supported between the caps 25.

With this arrangement, it will be evident that the bracket is formed with arms for receiving the end caps of the lamps and the weight of the lamp is carried by the bracket proper. No strain is placed on the contact bars of the caps, as in the first form and a rigid support is produced.

It is not essential that the supporting bracket extend substantially parallel to the lamp and as shown in Figure 10, the bracket may be curved or arcuate in shape with the lamp mounted between the outer ends thereof. Also, the arms 36, shown in Figures 6 to 8, may be extended so that several recesses 38 instead of only one, may be provided therein, whereby a plurality of lamps may be mounted between the arms. Such a structure is shown in Figure 10 in this form, the wires 23 must be extended so as to permit their connection to allof the end caps mounted in the bracket. If desired, a suitable display panel 40 maybe secured to arms between the lamps to provide a space for advertising or other indicia.

A modified form of supporting bracket is shown in Figures 11 to 14. In this form, the bracket is constructed of two elongate members 56 and 5! which are made of fibre or other insulating material. The upper member 56 is formed with downturned flanges 56' while the lower member has upturned flanges 5| and when the members are placed together as shown in Figures 12 to l4,the flanges of each extend contiguous to the flanges of the other. Suitable spacing blocks 52 constructed of insulating material, are disposed between the members at the ends thereof and serve to space the members from each other. The flanges of the members are fastened together by pins, brads, or the like and are also secured to the end blocks 52 to form an integral structure. With the above arrangement, an elongate, hollow supporting member is provided.

An opening 53 is located at the central portion of the lower member 5| and the body of the plug l9 extends therethrough. The flange I 8' of the plug rests on the member, with the upper end of the plug body engaging the underside of the porting member. The prongs 26 of the plug extend outwardly from the member.

The end caps 25, which are the same as those employed in the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, are mounted in the ends of the supporting memher. As is clearly shown in Figure II, the lugs 3i of the contacts of the capsextend through openings 5| provided in the upper member 56. The lugs are soldered, or otherwise suitably connected, to the ends of the wires 23 which lead from the prongs 26 of the plug, whereby electrical connection between the plug and caps is made. The lamp I6 is adapted to be inserted between and supported by the caps as inthe other forms hereinbefore described. The construction shown in Figures 11 to 14 is lessexpensive to manufacture and much simpler in assembly. Also, the hollow construction makes for rigidity and strength.

It is desirable in some instances to enclose the lamp l6 within a transparent shell or covering on which indicia is displayed, whereby an, illuminated sign may be had, and the form disclosed in Figures 11 to 14 is particularly adaptable for this purpose. When it is desired to convert the lamp into a sign, a curved or arcuate band 55 is fastened to'each end of the supporting member (Figure 12). The ends of the band are secured to the flanges 56' and 5| and to the end block 52, preferably by the same fastener which secures the flanges to said block. The bands extend around the caps 25 and the ends of the lamp l0 and serve to Support the ends of the display cover 56. The cover is constructed of Cellophane, Celluloid, or other transparent material and is spaced from the lamp i 0 by the bands. The longitudinal edges 56' of the cover may, if desired, be,-inserted between the flanges 50' and 5| (Figure 12) and a retaining ring 51 encircles each end of said cover overlying each band 55 to prevent displacement of said cover. The cover carries suitable display indicia and manifestly, an illuminated sign is produced. By removing the retaining rings 51, the cover may be removed and replaced by one having different indicia.

This type of supporting member which may be converted into an illuminated sign may be made in various ways, one of which is shown in Figures 15 to 17. In this form a flange base member 66 has end blocks 6i located between its flanges at the ends thereof. An upper member 62 which is flat is also disposed between the flanges of the base member and rests on the blocks 6|, being suitably secured to both base member and blocks. The plug I8 is mounted extreme upper end extendingthrough an opening $43 in the member 62: The: end caps 25 are mounted in the member 62 in the same manner thereinby resilient retaining members or bands 66 which are insertable within the bands 65. Obviously, by removing the insertable bands 66, the display cover may be removed for replacement, or other reasons. The structure is simple and since the members 60 and 62 are made of fibre, or other insulating material, the electrical connections are completely and effectively insulated. Reference is made to my copending application, Serial No. 127,009, filed February 23, 1937, which whileincluding an electrical lamp bracket is for a. separate and distinct invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bracket for elongate lamps including, a continuous single supporting member having outwardly directed arms at its ends, electrical contact means on the member for insertion into an ordinary electrical outlet receptacle whereby the member is supported in said receptacle, 2. plurality of spaced contact 'caps mounted in one of said armsand electrically connected with said contact means, and additional contact caps also connected with said means and mounted in the other arm of said member, the caps of each arm being in transverse alinement with the caps of the other arm whereby an elongate lamp may be supported between each alined pair of caps and electrically connected with the insertable contact means through said caps.

2. A bracket for an elongate lamp including, a supporting element constructed of a pair of flanged members which are adapted to fit together so that their flanges interfit and extend contiguous to each other, said flanges acting to space the members from each other, a block at each end of the element insertable between the members, means for fastening the flanges of the members to each other and also to form a hollow base structure, electrical caps mounted on the ends of the supporting element for engaging an elongate lamp, and an electrical connecting plug mounted in the supporting element and extending into the space between the members and having contact prongs for insertion into the usual electrical outlet receptacle and electrically connected to the contact caps, whereby the element and lamp are supported in the receptacle and electrical current is conducted to the lamp to illuminate the same.

3. An illuminating device including, an elon-.

gate supporting member having narrow openings extending longitudinally thereof and disposed adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, an elongate transversely curved translucent cover having its longitudinal edges inserted in the openings of said member to form a tubular fixture, electrical terminal contacts on the support within the fixture extending transversely thereof for I engagement with the terminal ends of an elon- H A v -2 ,a a7-,?se; within an egg es in the base and-has its gate tubular lamp, whereby said lamp may be supportedexlaliyof the flxtureand spaced from the member and the cover, said contacts being within the cover so as to house the lamp wholly within the same andalso whereby said cover is evenly ilited throughout'its length, and spaced electrical contact prongs extending from the outer side of the supporting member intermediate its ends for insertion into an electrical outlet for supporting the device, said prongs being electrically connected with the contacts.

4. An illuminating device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the translucent cover has its ends open and is considerably larger than the lamp sup ported by said contacts and overhangs the ends of such lamp so as to conceal the same and whereby currents of air may flow freely through said cover and carry off heat from within the same.

5. An illuminating device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the cover has its ends open to permit a circulation of air therethrough and wherein bands are provided for the ends of the cover and are connected with the supporting member for sustaining said cover.

6. In an illuminating device, a supporting member including, a pair of longitudinal flanged elements having'their longitudinal flanges telescoping to provide a space extending longitudinally within said elements, an elongate transversely curved translucent cover having its longitudinal edge portions disposed between the flanges of said supporting member to form therewith a tubular fixture, electrical contacts mounted on the supporting member within said fixture for engaging the end terminals of an elongate tubular lamp for supporting the same axially within said fixture, an electrical plug having spaced contact prongs mounted in one of the flanged elements of the member so that its prongs project outwardly from said member for insertion in an 7. An illuminating device as set forth in claim 6 wherein closures are provided between the ends of the flanged elements for sealing the space therebetween and the translucent cover is considerably larger than the lamp housed therein to provide an amplified air current flow space therebetwcen.

8. An illuminating device as set forth in claim 6 and sustaining bands at the ends of the cover connected with the supporting member.

9. An illuminating device including, an elongate hollow flat base, an elongate transversely curved translucent cover having its longitudinal edges connected with the longitudinal edge portions of the base to form a tubular fixture, contacts mounted on the base within the fixture for engaging the end terminals of an elongate tubular lamp and supporting such lamp axially within the fixture, the ends of the housing being open to permit the passage of air currents therethrough, a terminal plug mounted in the hollow base and having spaced contact prongs pro- J'ecting outwardly from said base for insertion into an electrical outlet for supporting said fixture, and electrical conductors within said hollow base connecting the contacts with the plug prongs.

JOHN H. POLLARD. 

